What Is a Mental Health First Aider?
Mental health is an important part of workplace wellbeing, and organisations are increasingly looking at ways to support employees who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health difficulties.
One option is to train employees as Mental Health First Aiders.
A Mental Health First Aider is someone who has received training to recognise when another person may be experiencing poor mental health or emotional distress and provide appropriate initial support.
The role has similarities to physical first aid: provide immediate assistance, recognise when further help is required and encourage the person towards appropriate professional support.
However, there is an important distinction.
A Mental Health First Aider is not a therapist, counsellor, psychologist or medical professional simply because they have completed Mental Health First Aid training.
Understanding this boundary is fundamental to performing the role safely and effectively.
What Does a Mental Health First Aider Do?
The role is primarily about recognising, listening, supporting and signposting.
A Mental Health First Aider may notice changes in a colleague’s behaviour, communication, attendance or general wellbeing.
Rather than diagnosing the person, they can create an opportunity for a supportive conversation.
This might involve finding somewhere private to talk, asking open questions and giving the individual time to explain what they are experiencing.
Sometimes the most valuable thing a Mental Health First Aider can do is simply listen.
Recognising Potential Warning Signs
Mental health difficulties affect people differently and there is rarely one definitive warning sign.
Changes Might Include
- Withdrawal from colleagues
- Reduced motivation
- Increased absence
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in performance
- Irritability or unusual behaviour
- Appearing overwhelmed
- Increased emotional responses
- Changes in communication
- Difficulty managing normal workplace pressures
These signs do not automatically mean somebody has a mental health condition.
The role of the Mental Health First Aider is therefore not to make assumptions or diagnose the person.
Instead, recognising a change may provide an opportunity to check in with the individual and ask whether they would like to talk.
Starting a Supportive Conversation
Many people worry about saying the wrong thing when discussing mental health.
Good Mental Health First Aid training helps learners develop the confidence to approach these conversations appropriately.
A Mental Health First Aider should aim to create a calm, respectful and non-judgemental environment.
Open questions such as “How have things been for you recently?” can give someone an opportunity to talk without forcing them to disclose information they are uncomfortable sharing.
The Importance of Listening
Listening is equally important.
Avoid interrupting, immediately trying to solve the problem or comparing someone’s experience with your own.
The objective is to understand what the individual is saying and determine what support may be appropriate.
Signposting to Professional Support
Mental Health First Aiders should understand the support options available both inside and outside their organisation.
Depending on the circumstances, this could include a person’s:
- GP
- NHS services
- Occupational health department
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- HR team
- Counselling services
- Specialist mental health organisations
Employers should ensure their Mental Health First Aiders know which internal support services are available and how employees can access them.
Clear signposting pathways can make the role considerably more effective.
Confidentiality and Mental Health First Aid
Confidentiality is an important part of building trust.
Employees need to feel that they can have a sensitive conversation without unnecessary information being shared around the workplace.
However, confidentiality should never be presented as absolute.
If a person discloses information suggesting there is an immediate and serious risk to themselves or somebody else, the Mental Health First Aider may need to seek additional assistance.
Organisations should therefore establish clear procedures covering confidentiality, safeguarding, escalation and emergency situations.
Mental Health First Aiders should understand these procedures before taking on the role.
Know Your Professional Boundaries
One of the most important responsibilities of any Mental Health First Aider is understanding where their role ends.
Mental Health First Aiders Should Not Attempt To
- Diagnose mental health conditions
- Provide counselling or therapy
- Recommend or change medication
- Take responsibility for someone’s ongoing mental healthcare
- Promise complete confidentiality regardless of risk
- Work outside their training or organisational procedures
Their purpose is to provide initial support and appropriate signposting, not ongoing clinical treatment.
Clear boundaries protect both the person seeking support and the Mental Health First Aider.
What Happens During a Mental Health Crisis?
There may be occasions when someone requires urgent professional support.
A Mental Health First Aider should remain calm, consider immediate safety and follow their organisation’s emergency procedures.
Where to Get Urgent Help
In England, people requiring urgent mental health help can contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
If someone’s life is at immediate risk, they have seriously harmed themselves, taken an overdose or it is not possible to keep them or somebody else safe, 999 should be called or the person should attend A&E.
Mental health emergencies should be treated as seriously as physical health emergencies.
Supporting the Mental Health First Aider
Organisations also have a responsibility to consider the wellbeing of the people they appoint as Mental Health First Aiders.
Listening to colleagues experiencing distress can sometimes be emotionally demanding.
Mental Health First Aiders should therefore have appropriate support, clear escalation procedures and opportunities to discuss concerns within appropriate confidentiality boundaries.
Employers should also ensure Mental Health First Aiders are not expected to become the organisation’s solution to every workplace mental health issue.
Mental Health First Aid Is Part of a Wider Strategy
Training Mental Health First Aiders can be valuable, but it should form part of a broader approach to workplace mental health.
The Health and Safety Executive advises employers to support workers experiencing mental health problems, and its first-aid guidance encourages employers to consider employees’ mental health when carrying out a first-aid needs assessment.
Mental Health First Aiders are most effective when they are supported by good management practice, clear policies, accessible support services and a workplace culture where people feel able to ask for help.
Mental Health First Aid Training with UK Training Services Ltd
At UK Training Services Ltd, our Mental Health First Aid training gives learners practical skills they can use appropriately within the workplace, including recognising warning signs, starting supportive conversations, understanding professional boundaries and signposting to further support.
Our courses include the Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health (RQF Level 1 Award) and the Mental Health First Aid (RQF Level 2 Award), and can be delivered at our training venue or on-site at your workplace.
Book Your Mental Health First Aid Course
Whether you want to train a single Mental Health First Aider or build wider mental health awareness across your organisation, UK Training Services Ltd can help.
Contact us today to discuss individual course places, group bookings or workplace training.